 However, although the pā was only thinly manned, most of the warriors having gone to Port Cooper to escort Taiaroa on the first stage of his return to Otago, warning was given of some skirmishes by gunshots, and the gates were closed as the invaders arrived.Before Te Rauparaha could make a full-scale attack, the Kaiapoi force returned, accompanied by Taiaroa's men, and made their way into the pā from the rear by wading across the lagoon.Two frontal assaults having failed, Te Rauparaha began a siege of the pā which lasted three months.